Vindication of the Truth of the Christian Religion, Religious treatise · Section 4 · Subsection 6
VI Portraiture of the Chriſtian Religion, as it is conſider'd in the Relation it bears to the Glory of God.
IT is with the Deity as with the Sun, which being bright in it ſelf, diffuſes abroad it's Glory by it's Beams, and imprints upon the Clouds, or Waters, an imperfect Image of it ſelf; which Image tho it wants the full Splendor of it's Original, is yet pure, agreeable, and adorn'd with ſufficient Brightneſs and Majeſty.
The Deity has an eſſential Glory, conſiſting in it's ſupereminent Virtues and infinite Perfections, to which nothing can be ſuperadded; and the Brightneſs of it is more than Man can bear. This Glory ſtreaming from the eternal Author of All things, diffuſes it ſelf abroad in all his Works, and forms out of the bright Efflux of thoſe Beams which ſtrike by reflexion upon us, and are united into the Heart of Man, an Image of that refulgent and immortal Sun; which Image tho it has not all it's full, perfect, and dazling Splendor, is yet pure, bright, lively and tranſcendent. And this Glory is what we call the Christian Religion; eaſily prov'd to be ſo, in that it refers it ſelf ſolely to the Glory of God, and is as it were a lively Image and Tranſcript of His Perfection, and Our Duty.
This Religion is alone capable of undeceiving Man, by removing thoſe falſe Notions, they had ſo long entertain'd of the Deity. This alone diſcovers the true Nature of God, removes all Symbols, Types, Shadows, material and ſenſible Appearances, under which he was Worſhip'd; all which were more proper to diſguiſe, than diſcover the true Nature of the Deity. It gives us ſome inſight into that Nature, by aſſuring us that God is inviſible; and removes him from our Senſes, to make him the Object of our Ʋnderſtanding.
'Tis this Religion alone that diſcovers that Eternal Counſel of God, ſo full of Mercy and Conſolation to us, that he ſent his Son into the World, that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. 'Tis this alone that glorifies God in his Attributes, and ſhews diſtinctly their infinite Perfection. By this alone we are taught that God governs all things by his Providence; that he makes Evil it ſelf inſtr…mental to our Good; that by his Goodneſs he ſupplies all our Neceſſities; that our Sins being inconſiſtent with his Truth and Juſtice, he cannot conſequently bear with them, and yet that his Mercy and Compaſſion is without Bounds.
It teaches, us not only that we are bound to Worſhip God and ſerve him, but aſſures us alſo that this was the End of our Creation. It teaches us to ask of him, above all things, the advancement of his own Glory, and to begin our Petitions with this Form, Hallowed be thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done. It requires of us that we ſhould glorify him, not only with our Lips, or barely by our ſpiritual Songs, but with all our Thoughts, Words, and Works. It ſhews us, that there is no Creature but what is under his Providence; no Sin but what may fall under his Juſtice; no Sinner but what may experience his Mercy; no motion or inclination to …ty, but what ought to be attributed to the Efficacy of his Grace; nor no unlawful Action but what will one day fall under his Judgment.
It diſcovers to us ſuch Miracles as glorify his infinite Power, ſuch Events as clearly manifeſt the Wonders of his Providence, ſuch Benefits as evince his Goodneſs and Mercy; and it allows all his Divine Attributes (a thing before unknown to Man) their juſt Extent, that is, an Extent without Limits. Now from whence can proceed thoſe Ideas we have of the Eternity of God, of his Immenſity, Omnipotence, his infinite Knowledge, and Immutability, &c. but from this Divine Religion?
No other Religion could at once elevate both God and Man. It ſhews us how admirably Man is united to God, and God to Man. It alone induces us to ſubmit our Will to God, to acquieſce without any murmuring to the Decrees of his Providence, and to direct all our Deſires and Affections to him as our ſupream Good. Men indeed heretofore endeavour'd to honour their Deities by Offering Beaſts as a Sacrifice: But was it ever known before, that they were to glorify God by the Sacrifice of themſelves? And what other Religion but this, could incite Men to Offer ſuch a Sacrifice, in which there ſeems to be ſo much Pain and Reluctance?
Certainly, unleſs we wilfully blind our Selves, 'tis a thing incredible that we ſhould not perceive; that the Christian Religion is as it were a pure and ſpiritual Communion between the Perfections and Attributes of God, which make Man ſenſible of their effects; and the inward ſenſe of Man's Heart, which glorifies God. Neither Fleſh and Blood; Neither the World, Nature, or Education, were forcible enough to produce ſo great and ſublime an Effect; and this can be the Work of none but him, who perfectly knew the agreement of all things, and was certain that our Hearts were wholly made for the Glory of God, and that the Sentiments of his Glory were to be imprinted in our Hearts only by the help of Religion.